Crossing gate



y 1961 R. P. LONGARZO ETAL 2,990,636

CROSSING GATE Filed Feb. 27, 1959 W 'NVENTORS BY (1.1m 0

United States Patent 2,990,636 CROSSING GATE Roland P. Longarzo, Valley Stream, and William Kramer,

In, Franklin Square, N .Y., assignors to Ideal Aeroplane & Supply (30., Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 796,091 7 Claims. (Cl. 39-92) This invention relates broadly to the art of crossing gates and in its more specific aspects it relates to such gates which have been designated for use as an accessory for 'model electric railroad equipment, and are automatically operable by electrical means functioning upon movement of a train over certain predetermined track areas to move the gate to open and closed positions; and the nature and objects of the invention will be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts to which it relates in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what we at present believe to be preferred embodiments or mechanical expressions of my invention from among various other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions of which the invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof.

Operating accessories for model electric railroads and the like systems should be mechanically simple for long and foolproof operation, should be economical to produce and assemble and should function as nearly as possible in simulation of full size equipment.

In developing our crossing gate for use with model railroad equipment we have recognized the aforementioned attributes and have produced a unit which is operated by a relatively simple electrical mechanism having few working parts for long and foolproof operation. The crossing gate of this invention is economical to produce and assemble and has been so designed that it operates in a manner creating a visual efiect substantially the same as full size crossing gates.

The type of gate in which we are particularly interested comprises a barrier arm pivoted adjacent one end and adapted to swing from an upwardly pivoted open position downwardly to a substantially horizontal closed position extending across the simulated roadway. The electric mechanism which controls the operation of the gate consists generally of an electromagnet and an armature and means connecting the armature to the pivoted end of the gate, the arrangement being such that the gate is only closed upon energization of the electromagnet which releases the connecting means which holds the gate open so that the gate will close by gravity. When the electromagnet is de-energized the armature, which is biased to position remote from the electromagnet, moves the connecting means downwardly to position causing the gate to pivot upwardly to open position and to hold it in such open position until the electromagnet is' again energized.

We have designed our crossing gate so that it may be electrically connected with the track for actuation to Y 60 mined stretch of track and to open the gate and hold it open when the train is operating on other stretches of close the gate when the train is on a particular predeter track. The electric circuit, including the track and the operating mechanism for the gate is such that when the train is in the said predetermined stretch of track the elec V tric gate operating mechanism is energized and when the train is operating on the remainder of the track is deenergized.

In the design and construction of our apparatus we have so related the various components thereof that there will be no partial or full release of the armature from the electromagnet during periods of energization of the elec- 2,990,636 Patented July 4, 1961 tromagnet which would result in full or partial movements of the barrier arm during periods when it should be in horizontal roadway closing position. Thus, the gate will remain closed during the entire time the train is operating on the predetermined stretch of track.

It has been one of our purposes to design an electrically operated device of this character which will use only a small amount of current from that powering the loco motive and we have accomplished this by the design whereby the only work done by the electromagnet is to operate the armature and the connecting means, the gate then closing by gravity. The act of raising the gate to open position is not performed by the electric means, in-' stead the gate is opened by the movement of the armature under its own weight and the action of a spring.

The unique arrangement of the components of the operating mechanism with respect to the barrier arm causes full travel of the barrier arm in its opening and closing movements without sacrificing the scale effect of the crossing gate assembly.

We have designed our crossinggate assembly so that no adjustments are required to put it into operation or for its adaptation for different types of model railroad systems. It is also an inherent feature of our invention that it does not rely for operation or control on the weight of the train passing over a certain stretch of track or other similar mechanical means.

It is also to be understood that the operating mechanism disclosed may be used for purposes other than the operation of crossing gates and still fall within the spirit and scope of our invention.

With the foregoing general objects, features and results in view, as well as certain others which will be apparent from the following explanation, the invention consists in certain novel features in design, construction, mounting and combination of parts, as will be more fully and particularly referred to and specified hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the crossing gate assembly.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the crossing gate assembly with parts of the barrier arm broken away.

FIG. 3 is a view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated one form of assembly comprising a base designated generally by the numeral 1 which includes a generally rectangular portion 3 having a forwardly extending elongated narrowed portion 5 preferably formed integral therewithr with a central cut out section 7. The unitary base sections are preferably formed of any suitable plastic material. A pair of terminals 9 are afixed to the base portion 3 at any convenient location thereon for connecting the crossing gate electric operating mechanism into the circuit which includes the track.

We mount a housing designated in its entirely by the numeral 11 on the base 3 in position extending above and surrounding the opening or cut out section 3. This housing is preferably designed to simulate the usual gate keepers house and is provided with usual walls 13, roof 17, chimney 19 and window 21. For a purpose to be described the forward wall of the housing or enclosure is formed with a vertically extending slot 23. The housing 11 may conveniently be formed of plastic and may, of

course, be of designs dissimilar to the example shown in the drawings.

We provide a supporting panel 25 within the housing vide a rigid unittherewith. The supporting panel extends across the housing from front to rear thereof at an inclination to the horizontal, extending from its fixed position on the rear wall forwardly and upwardly where it is joined to. the forward wall by legs 27 which straddle the slot 23. The panel is formed with legs 29 which are fixed to the rear wall at a point more or less intermediate the height of the housing.

The housing 11 forms an enclosure for the electric operating mechanism for the crossing gate and the supporting panel 25 provides a mounting and supporting means for the electric operating means, as will now be described.

The electric operating mechanism for our crossing gate comprises an electromagnet designated generally by the numeral 31. The electromagnet includes a coil or winding 33, coil form 35 and a core having an exterior disc 37 at one end of the coil form and having a head 39 extending exteriorly of the coil form at the opposite end thereof. The core is extended through the supporting panel 25 with the head 39 supported on the upper surface of the panel to thereby suspend and support the electromagnet from the panel in position with the core axis being normal to the plane of panel 25.

We provide an L-shaped supporting bracket having one leg 41 clamped between the panel 25 and coil form 35 the other leg 43 thereof depending downwardly to the rear of and spaced from the electromagnet. We provide a further bracket designated generally by the numeral 45 and we shall term this bracket the armature supporting bracket. The armature supporting bracket is provided with a generally rectangular body portion 47 which is riveted or otherwise aflixed to leg 43 of the L-shaped bracket as at 49. A flange 51 is bent rearwardly from the upper edge of the body portion 47 of the armature supporting bracket and a hook 53 extends upwardly and rearwardly from said flange. A pair of downwardly depending transversely spaced legs 55 extend from body portion 47 and these legs are forwardly and upwardly bent to provide extensions 57 which extend below and spaced from the lower end of the electromagnet. For a purpose to be hereinafter described each leg 55 is provided with an inwardly extending short finger 59, the fingers being oppositely disposed and being spaced from the lower edge of body portion 47 of the armature supporting bracket.

The electrical operating mechanism includes a generally rectangular armature 61 having a rearwardly projecting tongue 63 of reduced width relative to the width of the armature. At its rear end the tongue is provided with a hook 65 and at oppositely disposed sides adjacent the armature the tongue is notched as at 67. The armature is pivotally or hingedly mounted at its rear end on the armature supporting bracket 45 for swinging movement on a horizontal axis below the electromagnet by inserting the tongue between legs 55 and above fingers 59 so that the edges of the legs are received in notches 67 and the tongue rests on fingers 59 for pivotal or rocking motion thereon.

We provide a biasing means in the form of a contractile spring 69 for constantly urging armature 61 to its downward position remote from the electromagnet. The spring is at one end fastened to fixed hook 53 and at its other end is fastened to hook 65 which is on the armature tongue 63.

At the forward end of the base extension we mount, in any suitable manner, a barrier supporting post 71. We provide a barrier arm 73 which consists of two members 75 and 77 spread apart at their rear ends and forwardly merging and joined at their forward ends. The rear ends of the arms are joined by a pin 79. The barrier arm is pivotally mounted on the post 71 adjacent to but spaced from the rear end of the barrier arm by means of a pivot pin 81 extending through the post and fixed to the two members 75 and 77. A stop lug or pin 83is fixed to each side of the post to extend laterally therefrom in the path of downward movement of the barrier arm to limit such downward movement of the arm.

The armature 61 is operatively connected with the barrier arm by means of a member 85 which is formed of wire or the like which is slightly flexible. The connecting member is fixed in any suitable manner to the armatureand extends forwardly therefrom and on its outer end is bent downwardly forming a hook 87 which hooks over the pin 79 on the barrier arm.

With the electromagnet connected into the track circuit and with the connecting member 85 hooked over the pin 79 the barrier arm will be held in open upwardly raised position when the electromagnet is not energized as shown in full lines in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The tension of the spring 69 and the weight of the armature exert sufficient downward pressure on the correcting member to cause the rear end of the barrier arm to pivot downwardly thereby swinging the rest of the barrier arm upwardly and holding it in such position. Upon energizing the electromagnet the armature is attracted to the core disc 37 and pivots on fingers 59 upwardly into contact with said disc thereby lifting the connecting arm free of pin 79, whereupon the barrier falls by gravity to horizontal closed position. It will be understood that the weight of that part of the barrier arm which is forward of pivot 81 is greater than the weight of that part thereof which is to the rear of pivot 81. It will also be apparent that when the gate is open the armature, connecting member and the pin 79 are in substantial alignment and that the up and down travel of the outer hooked end of the connecting member 85 is at least as great as the travel of the rear end of the barrier arm in its opening and closing motions. As illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2 the armature lies flat against the core disc 37 when it is attracted thereto and the armature lie in parallel planes, while the core disc and the armature lie in intersecting planes when the electromagnet is deenergized and the gate is open.

It will now be appreciated that we have evolved a crossing gate and automatic operating mechanism therefor which is of simple construction for long and fool proof operation.

We claim:

1. A crossing gate assembly including, in combination, a barrier arm having a rear portion and a forward portion and said barrier arm being pivotally mounted between said rear and forward portions for swinging movement of said forward portion to raised open position and lowered closed position, and electrical operating mechanism including an electromagnet and an armature and means pivotally mounting said armature for swinging movement to and from said electromagnet upon energizetion and deenergization thereof, further means fixed at one end to said armature for swinging movement therewith and extending therefrom and engageable at its 0pposite end with the rear portion of said barrier arm, said further means engaging said rear portion of the barrier arm when said electromagnet is deenergized to swing said rear portion downwardly and said forward portion upwar'dly to open position and said further means being lifted from engagement with said rear portion of the barrier arm when said electromagnet is energized for upward swinging of said rear portion and downward swinging of said forward portion to closed position.

2. A crossing gate assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said armature is pivotally mounted adjacent its rear end and said further means projects forwardly from the forward end of the armature.

3. A crossing gate assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said armature is pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis adjacent its rear end and said electromagnet is provided with a core disc located above said armature and said armature and said core disc lie in parallel'planes when said electromagnet is energized and said further means projects forwardly from the forward end of the armature.

4. A crossing gate assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said armature is pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis adjacent its rear end and said electromagnet is located above said armature, and means biasing said armature to position removed from said electromagnet and said further means projects forwardly from the forward end of the armature.

5. A crossing gate assembly including, in combination, a barrier arm having a rear portion and a forward portion and said barier arm being pivotally mounted between said rear and forward portions for swinging movement of said forward portion to raised open position and lowered closed position, and electrical operating mechanism including an electromagnet and an armature and means pivot-ally mounting said armature at one end for swinging movement to and from said electromagnet upon energization and deenergization thereof, further means fixed at one end to the opposite end of said armature for swinging movement therewith and extending therefrom, the opposite end of said further means being engageable with and removable from the rear portion of said barrier arm in accordance with the swinging movement of said armature to swing said rear portion downwardly and said forward portion upwardly when said electromagnet is deenergized and to remove said further means from said rear portion when said electromagnet is energized for upward movement of said rear portion and downward movement of said forward portion.

6. A crossing gate assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein a transversely extending pin is fixed to the rear portion of said barrier arm and the opposite end of said further means is provided with a hook freely engageable over said pin.

7. A crossing gate assembly including, in combination, a barrier arm pivotally mounted at a location adjacent to but spaced from one end thereof and adapted to swing to and from raised open position and lowered closed position, and electrical operating mechanism for controlling the operation of said barrier arm, said mechanism including an electromagnet having a core disc at one end, a plate armature, said armature being pivotally mounted at one end below said armature and swingable to and from said core disc upon energization and deenergization of said electromagnet, further means fixed at one end to and extending from the opposite end of said armature for swinging movement with the armature, the opposite end of said further means being engageable with and removable from said barrier arm to cause swinging movement thereof to and from closed and opened positions, and said armature and said disc lying in intersecting planes when said electromagnet is deenergized and said barrier arm is in raised open position and lying in parallel planes when said electromagnet is energized and said barrier arm is in lowered closed position, and said parallel planes extend at an inclination relative to the horizontal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 606,259 Wilson .Tune 28, 1898 1,142,319 Gasse June 8, 1915 1,718,001 Phillips June 18, 1929 1,945,295 Pranger Jan. 30, 1934 2,038,482 Fereday Apr. 21, 1936 2,676,425 Bonanno Apr. 27, 1954 

